HONG KONG (SE): “I thank each one of you for your presence, which reflects your appreciation of the important work that Pope Francis is carrying out to unite us all under the cross of Jesus,” the bishop of Hong Kong, John Cardinal Tong Hon, said in welcoming guests to a gala concert at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception to mark the 80th birthday of the pope on December 18.

VATICAN (SE): Pope Benedict XVI celebrated his 89th birthday on April 16. Vatican Radio reported that in his early morning homily, Pope Francis said, “I would like to remind you that today is Pope Benedict’s birthday.”

The pope said, “I have offered the Mass for him and I also invite you to pray for him, so that the Lord may sustain him and give him much joy and happiness.”